How should we remember Queensland’s First World War history?

Join leading historical thinkers to discuss and debate the role of the Anzac legend at State Library of Queensland’s upcoming symposium, How we remember.

How we remember: responding to 100 years since the First World War is a free, interactive forum that will encourage participants to rethink our understanding of Queensland’s First World War history.

Commencing with a welcome function and keynote address on the evening prior, the full day symposium on Wednesday 14 October will feature individual presentations and panel discussions from academics, writers, journalists, curators and musicians.

Guest presenters, such as Adjunct Associate Professor, author, and former Australian army officer James Brown and historian and author Dr Carolyn Holbrook, will each share their unique perspectives on memory, myth-making, the historical reality of the war, the notion of the sacred, and how these relate to Australia’s remembrance of the First World War.

Minister for Science and Innovation Leeanne Enoch said it was also important to consider how these ideas impact on future generations of Queenslanders.

“The history and memory of the Anzac legend has evolved over time and each community will respond in their own unique way to this, with their own unique stories,” Ms Enoch said.

“By understanding the value that the Anzac legend holds for different communities, we can begin to answer the question of how we can inclusively commemorate, communicate and remember these First World War stories.”

State Librarian Janette Wright said that this centenary year of the Gallipoli landing was a timely moment to re-examine our nation’s understanding of remembrance and commemoration.

“The Anzac legend has come to occupy an immense space in our national psyche, with the prolific re-telling of the story of Gallipoli as ‘the birth of a nation’,” Ms Wright said.

“Commemoration is seen by most Australians as a way to remember and honour the fallen, imbuing their memory with a sense of sacredness.”

“How we remember will explore this narrative, as well as give voice to those who seek to highlight the populist nature of this history telling and advocate for a more historically accurate record. The symposium aims to share both sides of this contentious debate.”

How we remember: responding to 100 years since the First World War is part of Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation, a five year legacy project led by State Library and proudly supported by the Queensland Government.

How we remember: responding to 100 years since the First World War
State Library of Queensland
Free, bookings required